• Home
• Rentals
  • Which Key Should I Choose?
  • Vacation Rentals
    • View All Vacation Rentals
    • Property Management
    • Reservation Policies
    • F A Q
  • Long-Term Rentals
    • View All Long-Term Rentals
    • Property Management
    • Long-Term Rental Policies
• For Buyers
  • Why Buy in the Florida Keys?
  • Why Choose Action Keys?
  • 1031 Tax Exchange for Buyers
  • About Vacant Land
• For Sellers
  • Your Home's Value
  • Why Choose Action Keys?
  • 1031 Tax Exchange for Sellers
• For Homeowners
• Search The MLS
  • Residential Search
  • Commercial Search
  • Vacant Land Search
• Featured Listings
• Foreclosures
• Short-Sales
• Newsletter
• Info Center
  • Local Area Info
    • Weather
    • Maps
    • Utilities
    • Schools & Government
  • Checklists & Tips
    • 1031 Tax Exchange
    • Buyer's Checklist
    • Seller's Checklist
    • Curb Appeal
    • Open-House Checklist
    • Glossary of Terms
  • Useful Links
• About Us
• Contact Info

Curb Appeal

You've propabably heard of “curb appeal”.
But is it really that important?

If you're selling a home, be aware of the power of curb appeal.Curb appealisn't just a catchy phrase, it can substantially increase the value of your home. Curb appeal is about improving the appearance and maximizing the resale value of your home.

Have you heard the phrase “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”? Curb appeal is the ultimate “first impression”. Ask yourself, what are the first 3 things a prospective buyer will notice about your home's exterior appearance?

Make the most of your home's appearance by looking at it with a fresh eye. You may be used to your leaning mailbox, peeling paint, or loose door-knob but to a prospective buyer, these are immediate red-flags. Simple, inexpensive updates can go a long, long way.

Curb appeal encompasses everything on the outside of your home. It includes landscaping, porches, fences, mailboxes, exterior lighting, outdoor furnishings, paint, windows, walkways and driveways.

Here are a few tips when considering if your home appears welcoming to first-time visitors:

Walkways and Driveways

     Welcoming walkways and driveways serve as the entry point for your home
     Clean, edge and maintain your walkways
     Is it time to power wash your driveway?
     Is it time for fresh gravel?

Inspect the outside ground

     Remove any building materials, scrap wood, discarded household items, etc. from the property.
     Store garbage cans in the garage.

Check the home from the roof line down

     Is the roof free and clear from obstructions and moss?
     Are the gutters clear and neatly hung?
     Are the windows clean and free from obstructions (such as overgrown bushes or trees)?
     Are bushes, trees and shrubs neatly pruned?

Inspect the condition of the paint or siding

     A little bit of color can go a long way!
     Is it time to power wash the siding?
     Is touch up paint needed?

Is the front door in good shape?

     Your door is the gateway to your home, do you like your door?
     Is your door knob secure

Are the windows in good shape?

     Clean them, replace them, dress them up

Do flower beds need an upgrade?

     Are plants neatly pruned?
     Are the flower beds and burms free and clear of weeds?
     Are the flower beds and burms properly mulched?
     Are flowers in bloom?

Keep the lawn neatly groomed

     Is the lawn free from weeds?
     Is the lawn free from grass clippings?
     Is the lawn neatly edged?